Imagine if...

Imagine if you went with a trusted loved one for a ride in the car. You arrived at a building and walked in arm in arm or hand in hand, chatting about the beautiful weather and what you might like for lunch. You walked together to a crowded room full of people who obviously weren't "Americans". They were flashing cameras as if you were a celebrity and chattering in a language unfamiliar to you - none of it making any sense.

Imagine if next you were in front of people who appeared to be thrilled to see you. They begin touching you, reaching for you, hugging you...more flashing cameras...more words you can't understand. Then your loved one hands them your things. Wipes a tear from their eye and hugs you. They reassure you it's going to be alright, maybe tells you that they love you, and leaves you. They leave you with these people you that you don't know. People you can't understand. They continue smiling and crying and taking pictures and talking at you and trying to hug you and hold you.

Imagine looking throughout the room for your loved one... scanning the crowd for a familiar face. Any familiar face...

But there is none.

Imagine if these people, happy and delighted, take your hand and lead you into their car. You don't want to go because you're still looking for your loved one, but they make you go. They are still talking to you as if you understand. But you still don't. Imagine looking again for your loved one, but they are gone. Imagine what that would feel like.

How would you feel?

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It's easy in our excitement to meet, love, and bond with Grace and then bring her home to forget what she is about to experience. You and I know it's *the goal*. It's *Gotcha Day*. It's what we have done all of the paper pushing, fee paying, hoop jumping, for. It is the answered prayer. It is worth every thing we have done to get to this.

Adoption cannot happen with out words like: loss, grief, suffering, healing, and hope.

While we are out.of.our.minds.excited to begin our new family with Grace, it is bittersweet. She will ride with a loved one on a plane; completely unaware that her whole world is about to be turned upside down and inside out. She will wake up the next morning in her comfort zone only to hours later experience everything I have detailed above.

I have no doubt we will win her over.

I have no doubt that the toys, books, books, bubbles, sock monkey, and snacks will distract her and maybe entertain her.

I have no doubt that her new brother and sister will provoke the sweetest giggle we've heard in ages.

I have no doubt that she will take comfort and rest in the arms of her mama and baba (daddy) who already love her like crazy.

But... it might not be on gotcha day. It might be the next day or the next week or whenever she's ready.

She's worth waiting for.

Please pray that she already is being prepared by the One who made her - for *that day*. She's been through so much in her short life. So very much loss for such a little girl...

Please also pray for her loved ones who have one more week with her. They have fed her, rocked her, comforted her, stayed at the hospital with her, and loved her for most of her life. I imagine it's going to be a difficult day for them.

One. More. Week.